Laura Compian Kauffman

As a licensed psychologist, I have spent over 20 years working with teens and adults to help them overcome internalizing problems such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. My approach to therapy is eclectic, but I tend to lean on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) while bringing a warm and empathic approach to each and every therapy session.

Areas of Specialty

I have extensive experience treating the following issues:

• Problems with Worry (General Anxiety, Phobias, Obsessive Thinking and Behaviors)
• Problems with Mood (Depression, Temper Flare-Ups, Lack of Motivation)
• Problems with Eating (Body Image, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia)
• Interpersonal and Family Relationship Issues
• Coping with Life Transitions
• Job Stress
• Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy

Individual Therapy

I provide individual therapy for teens and adults in a variety of modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I strive to use the best, evidence-based treatment for each individual's unique background and presenting issue. We have learned a lot about what works from research conducted over the past couple of decades, and I set goals with my clients that incorporate treatments proven to bring short-term relief with long-term results.

Family Therapy

Sometimes family therapy is needed to tackle difficult issues that affect the entire family system. One form of family therapy that I specialize in is Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for eating disorders. This treatment involves intensive involvement by the child's parents to help the child make the "right" choices at meals. This is a supportive process in which the teen's parents align with their teen to battle the eating disorder that has taken control of the teen's decision making. The treatment then transitions to a point at which the teen's parents may begin to slowly transfer responsibility for meals back to the teen.

Parent Consultation

It isn't always necessary to bring a teen into therapy. In some instances, presenting problems can be managed with meetings between myself and the teen's parent(s). The goal of these meetings is to explore proven and effective strategies for managing parenting challenges.

Policies and Fees

Please contact me to discuss fees. My hourly fee covers therapy, time spent on phone calls over 15 minutes, consultation with other professionals regarding treatment (e.g., teachers, pediatricians), and completion of required paperwork.

Telehealth Options

I am proud to offer virtual therapy sessions via secure Zoom. This allows for greater flexibility and convenience for my clients, and I have found that Telehealth is an incredibly effective form of treatment.

Conclusion

I am committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate environment for my clients. I value the time with my clients and strive to tailor a treatment that will enable the quickest results with long-term relief. I believe that empowering my clients with concrete, evidence-based tools to navigate difficult moments in their lives is essential. I invite you to explore the possibilities of therapy with me and discover the power of facing challenges head-on with confidence and resilience.